16th Feb Following the recent inclement weather it was good to get back to serious rugby in this “Radiant Dentistry”
sponsored league game.
‘Skins kicked off with the benefit of a strong breeze but made heavy weather of the first quarter as a very
committed Grosvenor team competed fiercely for possession, and indeed during that time ‘Skins spent too
long in their own half, making it difficult for them to launch scoring attacks.
The ‘Skins set pieces were however very solid and when Grosvenor conceded penalties, Chris McVitty
kicked the home side into a 6 – 0 lead.
Better was to follow. Following a loose kick by the Grosvenor scrum-half, James Ferguson gathered and
side-stepped the defence to score a try under the posts which was converted to give ‘Skins a 13 – 0 lead, but
turning at half time to face the wind. Would it be enough? Not according to the usual “prophets of doom”
among the home faithful.
However, into the wind the ‘Skins pack took the match by the scruff of the neck and produced a half of
controlled aggressive rugby, allied to some delightful inter-passing between backs and forwards.
All fifteen players bought into the gameplan and further scores came from Gavin Parke, McVitty and Alan
Wilkinson, putting ‘Skins into a commanding position.
Grosvenor never gave up and despite scoring a consolation try in the corner, it was ‘Skins day and one that
must surely give the team confidence that they can go to Ballynahinch next Saturday for their Towns Cup
Quarter Final and give the hosts a good test.
